Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: Gearhead1940 on June 02, 2009, 09:04:27 AM

Title: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: Gearhead1940 on June 02, 2009, 09:04:27 AM: I've got a question for you guys. I'm finally to the point of looking for a scope for my varmint rifle and want to know what power I should get. I am looking at a Leupold for dropping yotes as well as sage rats. I am kind of on the fence between the 4.5x-14x and the 6.5x-20x. Would 6.5 as a min power be too much for Coyotes and would 14 be to little for sage rats? At this stage I am kind of looking to do a 50/50 between the two critters hunting time wise......

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: jackelope on June 02, 2009, 09:23:18 AM: I went with 4.5-14 on mine. i think with a 20x it's too much magnification. thats just me. i'm sure people have better opinions than that.
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: Intruder on June 02, 2009, 09:40:32 AM: What gun and what distances do you normally shoot? I'd generally lean to the higher power stuff..... but I wouldn't think the other is going to be a major hinderance or anything. :twocents:

Some of the guys that hunts dogs a lot can give you better insight but it doesn't seem like I drop below 8 or 9 X very often on my varmit gun. With squirrels I'm cranked up most of the time assuming I have good light and a steady rest.
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: Bofire on June 02, 2009, 10:38:38 AM: :)I like 3.5X10, but I hunt alot more dogs than varmits. I have wanted the 3.5 power much more often than the 10. I generally leave it set on 4-5 power.
Carl
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: Straight Shooter on June 02, 2009, 12:40:34 PM: I really like the 4-16 scopes... that would cover any hunting/paper-punching that I do. I have two 4.5-14x44 Swift Premiers that are also working out great.
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: stumprat on June 02, 2009, 03:48:41 PM: I really like a 4-16. Although I rareley turn it up past 7X
Most of my shooting is at 4X or 6X
In western Washington a bigger is not always better. If you hunt on the east side you might need it. :twocents:
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: Straight Shooter on June 02, 2009, 06:15:08 PM: Quote from: Gearhead1940 on June 02, 2009, 09:04:27 AM
I am looking at a Leupold for dropping yotes as well as sage rats. I am kind of on the fence between the 4.5x-14x and the 6.5x-20x.

Obviously, Leupold makes great glass, but take a look at the Pentax Pioneer. It's essentially a Burris Fullfield II... but a lot cheaper! If I didn't already have scopes in that power range, I'd grab a couple before they're gone.

http://www.eabco.com/cgi-bin/shopper.exe?preadd=action&key=007-89620
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on June 02, 2009, 10:17:50 PM: I hunted for years with a Simmons Prohunter 6x18 on a savage 22-250, it saw duty as a sage rat gun and a coyote gun. Shot about 15 yotes with it. I found the 6 power was too high for the yotes called in close (about 60% of them). Sold that gun, put the scope on a 223 and still use it for the same purpose, but I also use a 4.5x14 Buckmaster on my AR, which I really like and feel would be optimum for a double duty scope. I have a 4x16 Weaver as well on another 22-250 Ackley which is also a great double duty scope. Never felt the 16 power was to low for sage rats, and I doubt I will feel that way about 14 as well.
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: Gearhead1940 on June 03, 2009, 07:49:59 AM: Thanks for the info guys! Much appreciated! I was going to go with something other than Leupold (Nikon Monarch) but I was recently presented with the opportunity to get a deal on a Leupold that I just cant refuse.
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: wastickslinger on June 03, 2009, 08:18:10 AM: I have always thought the bigger the better on my varmint guns, until last year. I really got into yote hunting last year more than ever and I got a good deal on a VII 4-12 X50 and did not know if it would be enough power. I tell you what it was the best decision I have ever made with a scope. I love the 50 objective. The only time my power on the other scopes ever go past 9-10 is at the range on a bench. :twocents:

Also keep in mind if your ever going to hunt at night in a spotlight that 3 and 4 power gets used the most. If you start a 6 power it can be a challenge to get on the critter quickly.
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: ivarhusa on June 03, 2009, 08:52:23 AM: I opted for the Leupold VX-II 4-12, figuring it to be good enough for 'yotes.

Then I went all turbo, an purchased a 3x multiplier for $100 form Bulzeye http://www.bulzeyepro.com/testimonials.php (http://www.bulzeyepro.com/testimonials.php). It is a 'cheat' in that the cross hair thicknesses get multiplied too, but I don't find that a problem.

I shoot in 300/600 yd competitions at the range, and I don't need a spotting scope to easily see the spotting marks posted on my target. I just look through my 36x scope. Not a bad compromise, as I get to keep my 4X for hunting.

Still, I think I would give up my 4x for 6x at the low end, if I were to do it again. :twocents:
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: rasbo on June 03, 2009, 04:43:45 PM: westside love my straight 4 power leoupold...
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: Jim the Plumber on June 03, 2009, 11:21:28 PM: A 3.5x15 Nightforce NXS with MLR reticle and milrad turrets is what I have on my varmint rifle. Works great and the glass is so good that at 15 power it is clearer than a Leupold at 20 power.
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: Straight Shooter on June 04, 2009, 07:24:16 AM: Quote from: Jim the Plumber on June 03, 2009, 11:21:28 PM
A 3.5x15 Nightforce NXS with MLR reticle and milrad turrets is what I have on my varmint rifle. Works great and the glass is so good that at 15 power it is clearer than a Leupold at 20 power.

Now, you're just showing off! :chuckle: Sure... for $1,500+, that scope better be sooooooo clear that I could see the future... and be able to cook me dinner and cut my lawn! :yike:
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: demontang on June 04, 2009, 07:44:53 AM: If your going to hunt dogs I would go with a 4-16 scope, Its hard to see them up close with a 6x. I normally have my scope on 4x when Im on a stand becuase I have had a lot of coyotes sneek in close. :twocents:
Title: Re: All 'round Varmint scope - magnification
Post by: Gearhead1940 on June 04, 2009, 10:25:30 AM: Thanks again! When I posed this question I was leaning towards the 6.5-20, but now I think I am going to go with the 4.5-14. When I do figure out what the heck I am going to get and it comes in I'll post some show-n-tell pics.